The NFL has been around for over a century, and through the decades we have seen some amazing quarterbacks. Even though quarterback isn’t the only position on the field, everyone loves a good quarterback duel.
Here are 10 NFL dream quarterback matchups we wish we could have seen
10. Brett Favre vs. Josh Allen
For all intents and purposes, we are talking about Packers’ Brett Favre, the gunslinger himself. Coming out of college, Josh Allen was compared to Brett Favre for his gutsy throws and rocket arm. While Allen is more of a scrambler than Favre was, Favre was still mobile when he needed to be. It’s safe to say that this game would have a lot of touchdown passes, and probably the same number of interceptions. Honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if both quarterbacks threw for over 400 yards each. Stefon Diggs and Antonio Freeman would have an absolute field day!
9. Dan Marino vs. Patrick Mahomes
Dan Marino is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks to never win a Super Bowl. With this in mind, Mahomes has already won three in his young career and is on pace to win even more. Both quarterbacks are known for their insane throws, crazy accuracy, and tough leadership. Like the Favre and Allen game, this one would be a battle for air supremacy and a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare.
8. Mike Vick vs. Lamar Jackson
Before the option offense was mainstream in the NFL, we had Mike Vick who plain and simple had that dog in him. Vick held the record for most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback before a guy named Lamar Jackson came along and broke that record by almost 200 yards. Coming out of high school and college, Jackson was compared to Vick for his elusiveness and scrambling ability. Vick does have a leg up on Jackson when it comes to the ability to actually throw the ball, but Jackson is improving in that area, as he took home his second MVP award in 2024. All in all, coaches on both sides would lose sleep scheming ways to contain the guys in this matchup.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Also Read: 10 NFL Quarterbacks Who Barely Played In College
7. Justin Fields vs. Robert Griffin III
Robert Griffin III has expressed his desire to see Justin Fields succeed in the NFL but imagine if the two faced each other on the field. Both quarterbacks have very similar skill sets, but RG3’s career was ended way too early due to injury. Justin Fields never had the support of the Bears’ franchise, and hopefully, he can learn behind Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh and develop into the quarterback everyone hoped he would be. As for the actual quarterback duel, RG3 would run away with this one on account that his teams have been better throughout his career but watching two of the most exciting players in their franchise’s recent memory would be an absolute treat for viewers.
6. Zach Wilson vs. Johnny Manziel
How funny would this game be? Knowing the networks, it would get flexed to a primetime spot too. Honestly, make room on Comedy Central for this matchup. Zach Wilson is a good old-fashioned NFL bust, and Johnny Manziel is the exact same. Both had exciting careers in college but ultimately couldn’t make it in the professional leagues. Manziel’s fall in the NFL was partially due to his own negligence. Wilson is just bad, plain, and simple. Grab some popcorn for this matchup and get ready for three hours of gut-wrenching laughter.
5. Drew Brees vs. Joe Burrow
A battle of the two most accurate passers during their time, Joe Burrow and Drew Brees are very similar if you compare them under the microscope. For the majority of his career, Brees had a clear number-one receiver, below-average defense, and two-headed monster in the backfield. Now tell me that doesn’t sound like Burrow and the Bengals. Burrow has made it clear that growing up Drew Brees was his idol, and Brees even personally congratulated Burrow after LSU’s 2019 National Championship victory. This would be a dream come true for Burrow to duke it out against Brees, and the state of Louisiana wouldn’t know which quarterback to cheer on.
Also Read: 10 Forgotten NFL Quarterbacks From The 2000’s
4. Jalen Hurts vs. Cam Newton
These guys have very similar skill sets. Both are strong, athletic accurate passers with great minds and fantastic leadership. In 2023 when Jalen Hurts broke Cam Newton’s record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season, Newton was very supportive of Hurts. Neither quarterback plays/ed the game for records, they play(ed) to win, and both have proven themselves to be able to do just that. This would most likely be a game full of big shots downfield and strong powerful runs. But in the end, this physical chess match would be won by Hurts and his Eagles. Someone grab Jason Kelce out of retirement for this one.
3. Tua Tagovailoa vs. Ben Roethlisberger
Both Tua and Ben have been viewed as inconsistent, but loyal to their franchises. With a similar skillset, this would be a great matchup to watch. In reality, we only missed seeing this matchup by a few years. Roethlisberger is known for his size and strength at the quarterback position. Tua, on the other hand, is not necessarily known for anything other than his season filled with concussions, but he is still one of the best young quarterbacks in the game. Both field generals have been complimented by outstanding offensive weapons and some of the best coaching minds in the game.
2. Fran Tarkenton vs. Russell Wilson
Fran Tarkenton changed the way we view the quarterback position. He was the first real scrambling quarterback, and while it was viewed as unstable and unappealing at the time, his athleticism is what made him into the legend that he is. Wilson is one of the best improvising quarterbacks that we have ever seen. His mind, arm, and speed are what made him a dominant force for the Seahawks during his time in Seattle. This would be an absolute chess match between two quarterbacks with impeccable timing, and resourcefulness.
1. Tom Brady vs. Joe Montana
It’s time to settle the great goat debate once and for all. Four quarters, two legends, who comes out on top? Better yet put Brady on the Patriots and Montana with the 49ers and we could have a Superbowl matchup that would have NFL fans salivating. Unfortunately, no matter how strict Brady’s TB12 diet is, he can’t age backwards, and Joe Montana can only endorse so many skin and health products. What could have been if Brady had been born 20 years earlier?
